A Museum in Baghdad

Hannah Khalil

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781350150829
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Theatre Playwriting

This is about my responsibility. Doing what is right. Being where I'm needed. I've started a job and I must finish it. I owe it to the people of Iraq. In 1926, the nation of Iraq is in its infancy, and British archaeologist Gertrude Bell is founding a museum in Baghdad. In 2006, Ghalia Hussein is attempting to reopen the museum after looting during the war. Decades apart, these two women share the same goals: to create a fresh sense of unity and nationhood, to make the world anew through the museum and its treasures. But in such unstable times, questions remain. Who is the museum for? Whose culture are we preserving? And why does it matter when people are dying? A story of treasured history, desperate choices and the remarkable Gertrude Bell. This edition of Hannah Khalil's epic new play was published to coincide with the world premiere at the RSC's The Other Place in 2019.

We are in the Museum of Iraq in Baghdad.

Abu Zaman is on stage flipping a coin (ideally as the audience enter). When the moment comes he stops and says:

Abu Zaman It’s time

People are conjured to the stage. We are Then (1926), Now (2006), Later (this could be in 50, 100 or 1,000 years in the future).

The space is filled with dignitaries and perhaps the odd soldier from Then, Now and Later.

There are three ribbons, three pairs of scissors, three important people.

Each important person cuts their ribbon.

Important peopleI officially open this museum.

Abu Zaman* (with chorus made up of Nasiya, Ghalia, Layla) Again. ى رخأة رم

Then

The space clears of people and Professor Leonard Woolley and Gertrude Bell are left.

Meanwhile Ghalia and Layla are in a corner of the space with a laptop working.

Abu Zaman is fiddling with a coin – he knows he will need it soon.

Woolley You can’t be happy here ... Surely you’d prefer to be on site? Up to your elbows in dirt – I know you, Bell.

GertrudeI’m perfectly happy, there’s just a lot to do, but I’ve my system. Do you think I’ll make it for the opening?

Woolley You, woman, will achieve anything you set your mind to. But letting the king tell you when to open? I never thought I’d see the day ...

GertrudeIt’s not just him. The government too. You know that.

Woolley You’re not losing your touch are you, Gerty?

GertrudeCareful or I may decide to come back to your dig at Kish ... a bird told me there are some lovely artefacts being found, perfect for my ‘little’ museum.

Ghalia Stupid idiot!

Abu Zaman Another one?

Ghalia Yes – cretins! If you are going to buy antiquities on eBay at least get an expert to verify it first!

Abu Zaman How much?

Ghalia This h’mar (Looks for his name on screen.), calls himself ‘the appreciator’, just paid a thousand dollars for a fake cylinder seal.

Abu Zaman Do you follow the real ones or only the fakes?

Ghalia I report the real ones – breaking the laws of antiquities. I laugh at the donkeys who buy the fakes!

Layla I’m amazed you make the time. The basements are still in chaos – trying to get a list of everything stolen or damaged will take a lifetime.

Ghalia These people need to be brought to justice. They can’t just take what they want. This is our country and we have to protect it.

She returns to the screen.

Woolley Has he been? The king – seen what you’re doing ... how much is left to do.

GertrudeI expect him any day. But I’m not worried – if you agree to help me plan this place I’ll surely make the opening in time.

Woolley The question is – what’s in it for me?

GertrudeThe Englishman’s mantra. What do you want?

Woolley Well, once you are open perhaps you’d consider loaning us a few items? Your goddess for example. (Indicating empty glass cabinet.)

GertrudeI won’t lend her unless I have it in writing that she’ll return: I know your ‘borrowing’ and don’t forget the Iraq laws of antiquities.

Woolley How could I? You and your laws, like a little girl who changes the rules of the game to suit her.

Gertrude What are you complaining about? Before my laws you could barely dig here.

Woolley Yes but now you get the pick of the finds.

GertrudeThis isn’t about me – it’s about creating unity, nationhood.

Woolley Isn’t that why we’ve crowned a king?

GertrudeIt’s about galvanising an identity for the people of Iraq.

Woolley Ha! There was no such country till five years ago –

GertrudeThat’s exactly my point.

Woolley From what I hear they don’t think your laws are stringent enough.

GertrudeOf course they are. What is found in their country belongs to them. But you lot do need an incentive to dig in the first place.

Woolley I predict it’ll all be back to the BM in time for tea when civil war erupts again and they go back to their tribes.

A beat.

GertrudeWha...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Author’s note
• About the Royal Shakespeare Company
• New Work at the RSC
• Creatives
• Love The RSC?
• The Royal Shakespeare Company
• Characters
• A Museum in Baghdad
• Methuen Drama World Classics
• Methuen Drama Modern Plays
• eCopyright